Ask A May Trainer

"Cabbage" is the nickname for a notorious grade along I-84. Six miles of 6% grade. It's not so terrifying, really. It's just anothet one of those things that more experienced drivers goad clueless newbies with, in the hope that we will wet our pants.

 

Sounds like fun. Except for the soggy pants part.

 

Yep thats right lol all the talk had me scared of going down. Iv now been on both sides and im fine with it. Went down and never touched the breaks. I was in 6 high next time maybe I should be in 7 low cause everyone passed me like I was standing still lol but I went up in 6low so im still confused by that go.down same gear or a lower one. Because I thought I was going to get run over. What gear do you go.down in on a damp.day 52 degree

 

Sounds like you were playing it safe. Especially in the beginning like we are it is wise. The others going faster dosn't make them safer. You will dial it in as time goes by.

 

Your comment "I was in 6 high next time maybe I should be in 7 low cause everyone passed me like I was standing still" will get you killed one day.

Trucks passing you could be for a few reasons, maybe empty or very light or just plain Stupid Super Trucker Morons.

If I'm heavy, I take a 6% grade at gear 6 low (I have 13 Speed like May Trucks). You wanna pass me and end up in a crash, go for it .. I have seen it before.

Also consider this:

I had a Blue Air line break while going down a 6% grade .. Scariest day in my life. Thank God I was in a low gear.

I had my Air compressor go out .. no warning, just broke.

Keep this stuff in mind when ya approach a downgrade.

 

Also .. Ashland Pass in southern Oregon near the California Line (Northbound) is much, much worse than Cabbage. It's 6 miles of Posted 6%, but in reality, there are a few 6.5-7% "Dips" .. Also, it is tight, tight curves, very easy to lose control of yer truck if yer too fast.

6%+Speed=Death

 

Thank you Paloma that is exactly what I wanted to hear. That makes me feel a lot better because those were my exact feeling go down a million times to slow one time to fast. I know all driver's are different. Would you drive in the rain with your cruise control on and also with your jakes on in the rain. I was told it is my comfort zone and I know real life.is not.the dmv book but that's like all I really have to go by.

 

Rain conditions are kinda tricky with a Tractor-Trailer.

I NEVER run Cruise Control on wet roads. Only on dry roads, but not in traffic (like in Metro areas).

It is said that big rigs don't Hydroplane .. That's B.S as I have Hydroplaned Steers more than once (my personal lesson to slow down).

I had my Trailer brakes lock up (Empty trailer) coming to a stop at an Off Ramp and trailer slid to my left about 2 feet. So brake early and carefully when empty on wet roads.

Just yesterday I was driving to Wilsonville, Oregon in the rain Bobtail .. Light turns red and hit brakes and all 8 drive tires lock up .. I stop 1/2 way into the cross walk ... What can ya do? Brakes are set up for 80,000 lbs .. so when they grab, they grab!

 

Tractor doesn't have ABS?

 

I'm sure this is in this 1280 post but i don't feel like reading through all of this, This afternoon, What are the may Trucks governed at? Thanks.